Coin of Hypaepa under Septimius Severus c. 193 - 211

Editor: This is a coin, made under Septimius Severus, discovered at Hypaepa. It's quite small and tarnished with age. What strikes me is the evidence of wear and use. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, the coin's material itself speaks volumes. It’s not just currency, but a concentrated form of power and control of resources. The image, stamped onto the metal through a die, became a tool of propaganda, subtly shaping perceptions and values across the Roman world. The labor involved in mining, refining, and striking these coins—it’s all embedded here. Editor: So, it’s less about the artistic merit and more about the industrial processes behind it? Curator: Precisely. It challenges our notions of art. Who were the artisans who produced these dies? What social status did they occupy? The coin is the end product of a complex network of material production and human labor. Editor: Fascinating. I had never considered the economic aspect to it before. Curator: It's all about deconstructing the myth of the artwork, isn't it?